PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics Radiotherapy: No more than 1 prior course of palliative radiotherapy No more than 1 prior radioisotope therapy with strontium chloride Sr 89 or samarium Sm 153 lexidronam pentasodium Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery